Recently, during a three-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, French President Emmanuel Macron and host country Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed an agreement to upgrade relations to a strategic partnership.
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (left) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh on December 2. (Source: AFP) |
According to AFP news agency, Mr. Macron's state visit from December 2-4 is the first trip by a French president to Saudi Arabia since 2006.
In a statement issued after the meeting between President Macron and Crown Prince bin Slaman, the French Presidential Office stated that the signing of the strategic partnership between the two sides aims to enhance cooperation in the fields of defense, energy transition, culture and travel between the two countries.
The two leaders also "agreed to make every effort to contribute to easing tensions in the region", including strengthening the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as well as calling for presidential elections in Lebanon and implementing necessary reforms to maintain stability and security in the country.
After brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon with the United States, France hopes to continue pushing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with the support of Saudi Arabia.
On December 3, President Macron announced that he will co-chair a conference on the establishment of a Palestinian state with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in June 2025.
Speaking to reporters during the visit, Mr. Macron revealed: "The conference is for two states (Israel and Palestine), with the idea that in the coming months, the two sides will work together to multiply and unify diplomatic initiatives to bring everyone together on this path."
Calls for a two-state solution, based on the establishment of a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel, have increased since the start of the conflict in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. In May, Ireland, Norway and Spain announced their recognition of the State of Palestine, followed by Slovenia in June.
Asked about France's recognition of the Palestinian state, President Macron reiterated that he had the "will to do this" but "at the right time" when it would help "activate mutual recognition movements" between Palestine and Israel.
Macron also “does not rule out anything before” the conference in June and this “depends on the situation on the ground,” noting that France and Saudi Arabia “want to have the participation of a number of other partners and allies in Europe and beyond who are ready to move in this direction.”
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-phap-thu-hoach-lon-sau-chuyen-tham-saudi-arabia-quyet-dinh-lien-thu-vi-palestine-296082.html
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